The Story Behind the Transformation of Subiaco's Talent Program

Subiaco’s Colts last weekend claimed the 2018 WAFL Minor Premiership, just the third in the history of the club.

 

It is an incredible achievement, made even more momentous when considering just two years ago in 2016, the Subiaco Colts were bottom of the ladder, having won just one game in the 2016 season.

 

While that 2016 season was one filled with disappointment and difficulty, it was the start of the club committing to a full scale review and a strict focus on developing a talent program that had the desire to be the envy of all other WAFL clubs.

 

It was the design to strategically focus on talent three years ago that is now reaping rewards.

 

Subiaco Director of Talent Russell Smith has played an important role in overseeing the transition of the talent program and looks back on the processes used when starting the Subiaco Talent journey as the most pivotal.

 

“We knew that we needed to make changes, and I had great belief that if we got the processes right and stuck to those processes we could have success,” Smith said.

 

“We had five key pillars that we looked at holistically as being key to creating the program we wanted.”

 

Subiaco made a number of key changes to personnel and operations to ensure that the club was fully investing in its people and culture within the Talent program.

 

A former talent manager himself, Smith was tasked with overseeing the talent and country servicing portfolio.

 

In late 2016 Michael Farmer was appointed the club’s new Talent Manager and Beau Wardman appointed the club’s new Colts coach.

 

“From the very start of the process and the journey we were set to go on, I knew we needed to get the right personnel in place,” Smith said.

 

“We knew if we got the right coach and right talent manager that the success we were after would come and Michael Farmer and Beau Wardman have been exceptional in their roles across this journey.”

 

This review through 2016 culminating in these three people being committed too and invested in has continued to reap rewards over the next two years.

 

You need only speak to volunteers and support staff who have been at the club for a long time to get a sense of what has been achieved in improving the focus and culture towards talent.

 

You see it in the Colts players at every training session and every game.

There is a set focus on every session, there is a determined effort to improve with each session and there is an enjoyment of football by all involved.

 

“To go from last to first in the space of two years has surprised us,” Smith said.

 

“We didn’t expect success to come quite so soon, but it is credit to coaches, players and support staff that the commitment and passion they have put into this transition has allowed us to have some great early success.”

 

Subiaco Talent Manager Michael Famer who has been key through the journey of the past two years is equally pleased with the results that have been seen and the support the program has continues to receive.

 

“Not only players, but support staff and volunteers can see an outcome to the program we are providing,” Farmer said.

 

“The senior colts can see the success of the Subiaco senior system and overall through our talent program we are now seeing that same transition with the next generation colts seeing the success of those senior colts and professionalism and commitment required for success.”

 

While team success in 2018 has been exciting, Subiaco also saw great success in their talent and country programs last year, with three players directly from the talent program being AFL drafted, including two from country zones.

 

Ben Miller from Kalgoorlie and Brayden Ainsworth from Esperance are the first two of what Subiaco hopes are many examples of players transitioning from the country zones into AFL football through their new talent pathway.

 

Both Miller and Ainsworth along with teammate Kyron Hayden embraced a strong work ethic that has been the backbone of team success.

 

The past three years has shown with focus on improving the culture and standard of a group, both a team, and individuals within that team can blossom.

 

“The enthusiasm of our support staff and our coaches has been able to provide a professional approach to every session,” Farmer said.

 

“This has been evident ever since Beau stepped into the club.”

 

This weekend as the Subiaco Colts prepare for their final home and away game of 2018, Subiaco’s focus on business development and functions sees a brand new area launched.

 

As the Subiaco Football Club commences new strategic focuses within business development and functions, it is this case study in talent that is now the benchmark for other areas of the Subiaco Football Club.

 

The Corporate Deck at Leederville Oval is a space that is designed to both enhance Subiaco’s ability to network and deliver a unique experience to its corporate partners, while also presenting a new unique function space.

 

The Subiaco Talent Program, the new standard bearer for the Subiaco Football Club.